Picture reproduction system and method utilizing independent picture elements

ABSTRACT

A system and method of producing an image using a plurality of independent pixel devices, each of which includes one or more light emitting or polarizing elements. The pixel devices are fixed (e.g. on the side of a building) or are moving (e.g. on water or falling in air) within an image space in which an image is to be formed. A controller determines, based upon the locations of the pixel devices within the image space, what portion of the image each pixel device is to reproduce, and then commands the pixel devices to use the emitting devices to reproduce the corresponding portion of the image. As the pixel devices move, the new locations of the pixel devices are mapped onto the image, and the control of the pixel devices is modified accordingly so that the image produced by the pixel devices is not distorted by their movement.

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. ProvisionalApplication No. 60/351,765, filed Jan. 24, 2002 and entitled PICTUREREPRODUCTION METHOD UTILIZING INDEPENDENT PICTURE ELEMENTS.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates to methods and systems for creatingimages and motion pictures using independent picture elements. Moreparticularly, the system and method of the present invention can be usedfor movie theaters, active electronic billboards, fireworks in the sky,advertising signs, light shows for parties and concerts, speciallighting effects, and interior/exterior decorations.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Present day devices and systems for image and motion picturereproduction include many different types: projectors and projectionscreens, cathode ray tubes (CRT), liquid crystal displays (LCD), andlight emitting diode (LED) grid arrays in the form of active billboards.

[0004] All of these devices and systems require a predetermined surfaceto be secured where the images and motion pictures will appear. Thissurface, which is usually called a screen, is in most cases acontinuous, solid object. Because of that, its size is often dictated bythe available space and technical realization issues. For manyapplications, it is desirable that the screen surface area be as largeas possible. The capability of a billboard, for example, to captureone's attention is directly proportional to its size.

[0005] Furthermore, the brightness of the display will dictate theoperational duty cycle on any given day. It is for this reason thatconventional outdoor projection systems have a low operational dutycycle (i.e. they are usable only in low light conditions such as duringthe night time). LED grid arrays are much more effective in beingvisible even when the sunlight level is at its maximum. Both projectionand LED based systems have their drawbacks relating to outdoor screenmounting issues. A projection system could use a building facade as itsscreen. However, in many cases, it is impossible to project an imageonto a building that is occupied. In downtown areas which are crowdedwith hotels, such as Las Vegas, a majority of the high rising buildingsare occupied. Thus, the occupants would be bothered by intense lightdirected at the building and, at best, the show would have to be limitedin both length and how late at night the show could last. Also, abuilding facade that is mostly covered with windows doesn't make for anoptimal projection screen because of the irregularities in its surfaceand the not so favorable light reflection coefficient of the glasswindows. The solution for the surface smoothness would be to cover thebuilding facade with an actual projection screen. This is not desirablebecause it would completely block the view for the occupants of thatbuilding.

[0006] Large dynamic LED grid screens face the same problem. They areenclosed in a large, panel shaped, solid object which could weighthousands of pounds. The mounting requirements for such a device arevery stringent which makes them unsuitable for the temporaryapplications. Permanent mounting of a large panel LED display onto ahotel facade would mean a permanent obstruction of view for the guests.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] The present invention solves the aforementioned problems byproviding a picture reproduction system and method that can producelarge images in an image space using discrete pixel devices, even whenthe pixel devices are moving within the image space.

[0008] The image reproduction system of the present invention includes aplurality of pixel devices that are individually placeable into an imagespace, with each of the pixel devices including at least one lightemitting element, and a controller for determining the locations of thepixel devices within the image space and for individually controllingthe pixel devices based upon the determined locations to generate animage using the light emitting elements.

[0009] In another aspect of the present invention, a method of producingan image in an image space includes placing a plurality of pixel devicesinto an image space, wherein each of the pixel devices includes at leastone light emitting element, determining the locations of the pixeldevices within the image space, and controlling the pixel devices basedupon the determined locations to generate an image using the lightemitting elements.

[0010] Other objects and features of the present invention will becomeapparent by a review of the specification, claims and appended figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011]FIG. 1 is a diagram of the components in the pixel device of thepresent invention.

[0012]FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the components of the picturereproduction system of the present invention.

[0013]FIG. 3 is a diagram of the picture reproduction system of thepresent invention, with the desired image mapped onto the pixel devicesdispersed in the image space.

[0014]FIG. 4 is a diagram of the picture reproduction system of thepresent invention, with the pixel devices generating the desired image.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0015] The present invention is a unique picture reproduction system andmethod, as illustrated in FIGS. 1-4. In this system and method, picturesare created with a plurality of independent picture elements 10 (pixeldevices), one of which is shown in FIG. 1. Each independent pixel device10 includes one or more light emitting or polarizing elements 12 (suchas light emitting diodes, incandescent lamps, neon bulbs, lasers, liquidcrystal displays, etc.) that form the equivalent of a pixel on the CRTscreen or on the dynamic LED panel display. Each pixel device 10 canalso include memory 14 for storing pixel information, a transceiver 16and/or feedback path signal source 18 for receiving and/or sending datato a central controller and/or for determining location, and acontroller 20 for operating the components of the pixel device 10. Thesystem of the present invention would include a plurality of suchdevices, that preferably are not physically connected to each other. Thepixel devices 10 can be embodied each in their own enclosure and thatway deployed over any surface thereby effectively transforming thatsurface into a picture screen. Any of the pixel devices 10 can assumethe role of projecting any part of the picture image. This enables theconstruction of dynamic grid displays in any location imaginable. Itwould be possible, for example, to turn a whole skyscraper into a largemovie screen using a plurality of pixel devices 10 strategically mountedto the skyscraper. For example, one or more of the independent pixeldevices 10 can be placed in or near each window of the building.Occupants of that building would not be bothered by the independentpixel devices 10 as the light produced therefrom is directed out awayfrom the building. At the same time, these independent pixel devices 10are small modules and as such would not be obstructing the view throughthe window and would not detract from the look of the building in theday time. Their size is chosen to provide enough light output for adesired viewing distance. Furthermore, the pixel devices 10 may belocated in any location, or may move, while displaying a static ordynamic image or images.

[0016] In one embodiment, the system of the present invention includes aplurality of independent pixel devices 10 each having a light source andan electronic circuit for smart control. An electronic circuit (eithercontained locally in the pixel device 10 or embodied in a centralcontroller) would be used for determining the pixel device's relativelocation within the picture grid and the storage of the desired picturecontent. Once such a system is deployed in a plane (two dimensionalapplication), or space in general (three dimensional application),independent pixel devices 10 would be able to, on their own or with helpfrom a more central device, determine which part of the image they areoccupying based upon their detected location, and would thereforeautomatically activate their light sources in the appropriate colorpattern over the period of time based upon their location within theprojected image. When viewed from a distance they would appearsynchronized and would form a complete image or a motion picture.

[0017] This same effect is realized more cost effectively in anotherembodiment where the electronic circuitry within the independent pixeldevice 10 only has a capability for reception of commands and activationof the light sources 12 within. Commands would contain but not belimited to light color and intensity information that each pixel device10 shall display. Independent pixel devices 10 are commanded from acentral control station 22 via a remote control channel 24, which isreferred to herein as a “forward path”, as shown in FIG. 2. Forward path24 is used to deliver the desired image content to the plurality ofindependent pixel devices 10 as well as for the control during theprocess of their location determination. This process of independentpixel device location determination is referred to as “the mappingprocess”.

[0018] Forward path 24 preferably utilizes a wireless link implementedin the radio or infrared spectrum. For this purpose each independentpixel device 10 has a radio or infrared receiver or transceiver 16.Commands are modulated onto the radio frequency or infrared carrier andsent to the independent pixel devices 10 by the central control station22. A multiple of the wireless links could be used at the same time toincrease the command throughput of the forward path 24. During themapping process, independent pixel devices 10 are associated with theirrespective two or three dimensional coordinates. For more permanentpixel device installations, the forward path 24 could utilize electricalwires.

[0019] Each independent pixel device 10 may have a unique digitaladdress. The set of address and coordinate pairs for the pixel devices10 may now represent a picture grid. The desired picture is normalizedto the size of this grid in software running on the central controlstation 22. Once the picture is fitted into this grid as shown in FIG.3, the control station 22 issues commands to the independent pixeldevices 10 activating their light sources 12 in the appropriate colorpattern to recreate the given image, as shown in FIG. 4. For motionpictures, this process repeats and pictures are produced rapidly oneafter the other just like a television screen. The mapping process canrun repeatedly and independently of the picture playback process inorder to always provide the system with the most current position of theindependent pixel devices. This is useful in those applications whereindependent pixel devices 10 are not stationary with respect to eachother or with respect to the viewers. It is necessary to do thisrepeatedly for non-stationary pixel devices 10 because a pixel devicethat is moving across the picture field has to be assigned to adifferent portion of the image (different color or light intensitylevel) as its coordinates are changing. Otherwise, the picture couldbecome distorted and loose its integrity. One such application is apicture screen in the sky or on the water surface.

[0020] In order to acquire the position information for each independentpixel device, the control station 22 uses a predetermined set ofcoordinates (for stationary pixel devices) or a feedback path 26 usingthe feedback path signal source 18 (for moveable pixel devices). In astationary application, the coordinates are predetermined prior to thepixel device mounting. Then, the independent pixel devices 10 would bemounted onto the surface in the predetermined order.

[0021] In cases where the pixel devices 10 could not be mounted in thepredetermined order or in the cases where they are free to move, theirlocations are discovered after mounting or deployment. There are severalways to detect the position of movable pixel devices 10 while thesedevices are actively displaying image portions from their lightemitters. One way is for each pixel device to contain circuitry toindependently determine locations, such as GPS. Another way is for thecontrol station 22 to sense beacon patterns that are coming from eachindependent pixel device 10. Specifically, the feedback path signalsource can include a beacon mechanism implemented in the radiofrequency, or in the infrared or visible light spectrum. Thisfunctionality is called “the feedback path” 26. Beacons are triggeredeither by the commands that are coming from the central control station22 or by the electronic control circuitry (e.g. controller 20) of theindependent pixel device 10. Beacon signals which are using radiofrequencies are picked up by antenna and radio receiver systems in thecentral control station 22 and the location of each pixel device 10 isdetermined through the process of triangulation and direction finding.Yet another way to determine location is for the beacon signals to beincorporated in the light output from the pixel device light sources 12themselves. In this case, the central control station 10 is equippedwith a camera that monitors the image pattern produced by the pixeldevices 10. The image pattern (i.e. the desired picture produced by thearray of pixel devices 10) is digitized, and the location informationfor each independent pixel device is extracted from the digitized image.The beacon signals can be separate from the actual visible image createdby the pixel devices 10 (i.e. infrared), or the beacon signals can be inthe visible light spectrum where the independent pixel devices 10utilize the same light sources which are used for the picture recreationfor location determination. In the latter case, the actual visible imagecreated by the pixel devices 10 is used to detect when a pixel devicemoves (thus distorting the image) and to modify its output (to correctthe image distortion).

[0022] Electrical energy is provided to each independent pixel device 10from a power source 28, which can include a battery pack or a separatepower supply, or from a connection to a power bus 30.

[0023] With the present invention, the pixel devices 10 need not befixed or arranged in an evenly distributed grid. This flexibility allowsfor a picture screen to be built in locations never before possible. Forexample, the audience at the stadium can be transformed into a picturescreen. Pixel devices can be produced in the shape of a key chain andgiven to the audience as souvenirs. After the audience enters thestadium and take their seats, the announcer asks everyone to raise theirkey chains in the air. At this moment the system activates the lightsources inside of the key chains. The digital camera in the controlstation 10 takes pictures of the audience. From its digitized image, thecontrol station 10 extracts the information about the location of eachindividual pixel device. This forms a grid of randomly distributed pixeldevices 10. An image stored or otherwise supplied to the control station10 is normalized to the size of the grid. The control station 10overlays the image onto the grid and identifies the role of the eachpixel device 10 in the image. Information about light color andintensity is sent to the pixel devices 10 through the forward path 24.Pixel devices 10 activate their light sources 12 accordingly upon thereception of the commands. The image now appears from the audience. Ifanyone in the audience decides to move, thereby changing the location ofthat particular pixel device 10 within the image, the feedback path 26(i.e. digital camera or radio receiver) is able to detect the movementand the new location of the pixel device 10. The grid map is updatedwith the current location information for the pixel devices 10. Thosepixel devices 10 which have moved are now assigned to reproduce adifferent portion of the image. New assignments are again sent throughthe forward path 24. This closes the image distortion correction loop.

[0024] Similarly, the independent pixel devices 10 can be used to createimages and motion pictures in the sky. For example, a large number ofwireless pixel devices deployed in a dark sky can form a picture fieldof any desired size. Conventional fireworks launchers or aircraft can beused for their deployment. Pixel devices are deployed in a cloud likeformation where their individual locations are random and initiallyunknown. The wireless control station 10 on the ground keeps track oftheir locations using the feedback path 26. Only those pixels that needto be a part of the picture are activated. Because the pixel devices 10are free falling and are carried by the wind, their location within theimage field is constantly changing. For this reason it is necessary tohave the image distortion correction loop in place. Some of the pixeldevices 10 may have to assume different parts of the image as they aremoving. Others might travel out of the image field in which case theirlight sources are completely deactivated, until they again enter thearea occupied by the image.

[0025] It is to be understood that the present invention is not limitedto the embodiment(s) described above and illustrated herein, butencompasses any and all variations falling within the scope of theappended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. An image reproduction system, comprising: aplurality of pixel devices that are individually placeable into an imagespace, each of the pixel devices including at least one light emittingelement; a controller for determining the locations of the pixel deviceswithin the image space and for individually controlling the pixeldevices based upon the determined locations to generate an image usingthe light emitting elements.
 2. The image reproduction system of claim1, wherein each one of the pixel devices includes: a memory for storingpixel image information; and a control device for operating the at leastone light emitting element in the one pixel device based upon the storedpixel image information.
 3. The image reproduction system of claim 1,wherein each one of the pixel devices includes: a forward path receiverfor receiving commands from the controller used to operate the at leastone light emitting element in the one pixel device.
 4. The imagereproduction system of claim 3, wherein each one of the pixel devicesincludes: a feedback signal source for sending information about thelocation of the one pixel device to the controller.
 5. The imagereproduction system of claim 1, further comprising: a camera formonitoring the image generated by the light emitting elements, whereinthe control of the pixel devices is responsive to the image monitored bythe camera.
 6. A method of producing an image in an image space,comprising: placing a plurality of pixel devices into an image space,wherein each of the pixel devices includes at least one light emittingelement; determining the locations of the pixel devices within the imagespace; and controlling the pixel devices based upon the determinedlocations to generate an image using the light emitting elements.
 7. Themethod of claim 6, wherein the pixel device control further includes:mapping an image pattern over the determined locations of the pixeldevices; and controlling each one of the pixel devices to produce thatportion of the image pattern mapped thereto using the at least one lightemitting element in the one pixel device.
 8. The method of claim 6,wherein the location determination for each one of the pixel devicesincludes: detecting a beacon signal from the one pixel devicerepresenting location information for the one pixel device.
 9. Themethod of claim 8, wherein the beacon signals are generated by the lightemitting elements.
 10. The method of claim 6, further comprising:monitoring the image generated by the light emitting elements; andmodifying the control of the pixel devices in response to the monitoredimage.
 11. The method of claim 6, further comprising: moving at leastsome of the pixel devices to new locations; determining the newlocations of the moved pixel devices; and modifying the control of themoved pixel devices in response to the determined new locations.